2007 Recreational Boaters Act

[Navy Jr.]

Has anyone heard of the 2007 Recreational Boaters Act and what might be its current status?

Brief background (and this is second hand, so forgive me): Apparently the EPA had Congress pass a law years ago whereby anyone or any company owning vessels that produced bilge water would need to pay an annual fee of $800 (?). The lobby for recreational boaters said the law should apply to shipping and managed to get the law amended so small craft were exempted before the law was enacted. Recently a federal judge threw out the exemption such that recreational boaters would indeed have to pay the fee. Again the lobby got involved and had a new law introduced to exempt these boats from the law again.

Or something like that. Anyone on board here have any more (or better) information? I found where the law was introduced, but can't find its current status.

 

[cbear34]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

I believe this is what you are talking about. Iam a member of BoatUS and this can be found on the website under news releases, government. BoatUS has been fighting this and also has suggestions to contact your congressman or woman to reinstate the permit exemption. If you are not a member of BoatUS, you might want to check it out.

Action Alert: EPA Discharge Permit Requirement for Recreational Boats

Background:
For 34 years the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted discharges from recreational boats from the Clean Water Act permit system. Regretfully, a fall 2006 U.S. District Court ruling cancelled this permit exemption. EPA is now required by the court decision to develop and implement by September 30, 2008 a national permit system for ALL vessels in the United States for a variety of normal operational discharges.

The original lawsuit that led to this court decision sought to address ballast water discharges from large ocean-going ships, which can introduce damaging aquatic invasive species into U.S. waters. Keeping our waterways clean and preventing the spread of invasive species is of utmost importance to the future of boating. But taking a complex permitting system designed for industrial dischargers and applying it to recreational boats will not yield significant environmental benefits and it will come at a very high cost. Requiring recreational boaters to purchase a permit would not prevent the spread of invasive species.

If the permit system becomes a reality, you will be required to pay for a state permit for each of your boats. EPA will be potentially monitoring your deck runoff, grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water, and the use of copper bottom paints.

It is important to note that there are already federal laws restricting the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage and sewage. The proposed legislation will not alter any of these existing restrictions.

November 28, 2007:

Action Needed:

We need your help to push Congress to pass legislation "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007" (H.R. 2550/S. 2067) that will reinstate the permit exemption for recreational boats.

Please contact your Congressman and Senators TODAY and ask that they co-sponsor or support H.R. 2550 and S. 2067.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

Cbear34, thank you for the information. I visited the BoatUS website's government affairs page, then read the Q&A regarding this particular bill.

Sounds pretty serious. If Congress doesn't pass an exemption for recreational boaters by September of this year, the EPA could institute new procedures for states to collect a fee in the hundreds of dollars every 1 to 5 years regardless of boat size. There would be a permit required for each hull number.

And they mean it! They're trying to clamp down on exotic species of various plants and organisms being transported to our various lakes and waterways by not only large ocean going vessels, but also by small craft boats (perhaps they are targeting those who don't inspect and clean their trailerable boats after each retrieval).

The permit itself might contain certain requirements for each boater to prove they are acting within the parameters of the provision for each boat while under permit. Translation: paperwork and documentation to quantify your boat's discharges in addition to $$$ for the permit.

What a nightmare...

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

This is year 2008.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

The permit itself might contain certain requirements for each boater to prove they are acting within the parameters of the provision for each boat while under permit. Translation: paperwork and documentation to quantify your boat's discharges in addition to $$$ for the permit.

Ayuh,..........

If nothing is done,.....
I see Millions of New Instant Criminals,.... Myself included......

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

This is year 2008.

I believe the "2007" in "2007 Recreational Boaters Act" refers to when the House and Senate bills were authored.

This morning I sent a letter to my congressman asking that he sign on as a co-sponsor of HB#2550, and to work to see it passes before this coming September.

You know, though, even if the exemption fails, this could be a nightmare for both sides; not only for boaters, but for the EPA, as well. Can you imagine what they would have to do to manage this monster?

So, hopefully they will exclude all recreational boats entirely. Or at the very least, most recreational boats based on length of hull or size of engine or some other parameter whereby only the largest, perhaps only those with ballast tanks, would be affected.

In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to research this topic, then write your congressman and senators with your opinion. The BoatUS website mentioned above is a good starting point.

 

[cbear34]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

Yes, this is a very serious matter! If you own a boat then you should contact your Congressman and Senators to have them institute the exemption for recreational boaters. I think each state will be able to set their prices on the permits which would cost boaters hundreds of dollars. If you have multiple watercraft then this would cost you heavily.
The BoatUS organization has been following this Clean Water act exemption. I am a member since they fight for recreational boaters rights on Capitol Hill. Check the website out to get more info on this matter. They also have suggestions on how to contact your congressman.
Remember if you love boating and don't want to pay any more to the government for the right to boat then definitely contact your states Congress representatives to let them know you are unhappy about the exemption change.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

You know, though, even if the exemption fails, this could be a nightmare for both sides; not only for boaters, but for the EPA, as well. Can you imagine what they would have to do to manage this monster?

The EPA agrees with you, for the reasons stated above, they also want the 2007 recreational boaters act to pass. However, just like the rest of us, they are accountable to the court decision.

Gotta love "legislating from the bench"

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

Great thread and great info - thanks!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 2007 Recreational Boaters Act

http://www.boatus.com/gov/fed_alert.asp